Folding mechanism



Jan. 1, 1935. Q s. CRAFTS FOLDING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 23, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

C. S. CRAFTS Jan. 1, 1935.

FOLDING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 23, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JHIIIIIIIII IHI I Jan. 1, 1935. 4 I c. s. CRAFTS 1,985,917

FOLDING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 23, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVE TOR.

" ATTORN I Patented Jan. 1, 1935 l a: I l f l 9 5 917,

{1,935,917 roLninG'MEcnANrsM Curtis Crafts, Oak Park,-Ill., assignor to Goss .Prlntlixs g {regs ,Company, a corporation of Application October 23, 1929,- serial No.'401,677 g Renewedoctober 31, 1931- sch m; (or, 27047) This invention relates to anew and useful foldvaries' verywidely, the range of variance frequently ing mechanism and more particularly'to a transbeing, for example, between'eight'pagesand sixty verse folding mechanism for use in connection four pages or more for different issues or days, with high speed rotary printing presses. 1 and for effective folding it is necessary that the i Objects and advantages of the invention' will space between the two cooperating folding rollers 5 'be'set'forth in part hereinafter "and in part will ,be correspondinglyv'aried and regulated as well 'be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by pra'cas the distance'from the folding cylinderftoprel tice with the invention, the same being'realized vent circling off of the outsidesheets as their d attainedby means of the ,ins'trumentalities heads pass the second folding'rolle'r. i

l0 and combinations pointed out in the appended The invention provides a folding mechanism 10 claims. s adapted for use with high speed rotary printing The invention consists in the novel, parts, conpresses and is particularly useful in the producstruction, arrangements, combinations and imtion of relatively thick folded products. The provements herein shown and described; 1 present invention' also provides a folding mecha- The accompanying drawings, referred to hereniSm having m ans for aai ste y m n t e 15 in and constituting a part hereof, illustrate'one folding rollers away fromeach other and prefer- Y embodiment of the invention; and together with ably awayfrom the folding-cylinder; Means are the description, serve to'explain the principles of also provided for quickly moving either of the I the invention. V folding rollers out of folding I'relatiori with the r Of the drawings: 7 other and away from thefcylinder t'o' release a 2 Figure 1 is a side elevation ofa folding mech- 'choked fold, preferably the rollers are so anism illustrating one embodiment offthe pres ounted that they can bereturned'to their orig; v ent invention, certain parts beingfbroken away, inal adjusted position without necessitating a Figure 2 is an end view lookingfrom the right of dju t Preferably; and as embodied, e 5

Figure l, with certain parts brokenaway, j g folding rollers are resiliently urged" towards each 25 Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizo tal section other and are mounted in arms'movableabouta taken on the line 3-- 3 of Figurel'. f common axis external to the foldin'g cylinder, the

. Figure 4 is a agmentary detailed view'Showarms being provided with means for simultaneing the gearing for driving the folding rollers. ously moving them away from the line; of fold.

Figure'5 is a fragmentary detailed sectiontake'n The invention, as embodied, is also applied to a on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.7 folding'mechanism embodying the foregoing de- The invention is directed primarily to a mech scribed features and constructions and wherein anism for quickly and instantaneously retracting both folding rollers havea resilient action when a folding roller to permit easy and immediate rein-folding position and during the folding'fiopermoval from the folding roller of a choked paper, ation. a

and then quickly and easily restoring the roller to The invention is shown applied to a fast rotary its folding position with respect to its cooperating transverse newspaper folder, and the invention roller. It sometimes happens, especially in rapid finds one of. its -g'reatest'fieldsof' usefulness in newspaper foldingwherein heavy newspapersare such machines, althoughit vwill be understood 0 given the final transverse fold at the rate of that it is applicable to; and useful with, other C thirty-five thousand to forty thousand folds per kinds of folding mechanisms. I hour, that a paper will become jammed or choked Referring now-in detail to the embodiment of in the foldingrollers', and it is exceedinglyflde the inventionillustrated'by way of example inf sirable to beable to immediately and withvery the" accompanying drawings, the general frame little trouble clean out a choked or jammed-paper of a printing press is'in'dicated by 1, and a fold? and have the folding roller returned easily} imingcylinder by 2. ,The "cylinder'may be of'any mediately and accurately to folding position. "usual'or'known form;and has its-shaft 3 mounted The invention is directed further to providing in bearings 4 carried uponthe cross reaches 5 of functions and capacities as just described in conthe folderside' frames of press. c V nection with mechanism for variably and i The cooperating mechanism for cutting" the 50 accurately positioning both din roll r t web and engaging andcarrying the new web end regulate the width of opening between them as is shown onlyparti'ally and in a'genral way, and well as their distance from the folding cylinder. m b f s an ard or other convenient" form. Such fvariable positioning is necessary in presses 'I 'he successive" head ends of the webs are held w e e t e number of pa e-s n successiveis'sues by either of twosets of semi circumferentially separated impaling pins, the pins being forced through the lead end of the plicated webs when the transverse cut is made in the usual manner. The transverse series ofimpaling pins are mounted in the corresponding cutting blocks 11, with which cooperate the cutting blades. The blades are mounted on the cylinder 13, t he shaft 14 of which is journaledin bearings 15 carried on the reaches 5 of the side frames of the folder.

Mounted on the folding cylinder 2 are two I is provided similar mechanism for simultaneously arms 42 and 43 and as embodied, shaft '73 tuckingblade mechanisms 22 and 23, respectively, located a semi-circumference apart, these, blades being preferably oft-he usual double type.

The shafts of the blades24-and 25, respectively,"

are journaled. in the cylinder 2', and fixed centrally to these respective shafts are corresponding actuating arms 26 and 27. The arm '26 has at either end thereof cam rollers 28 and 29, and'the arm 27 has at the ends thereof corresponding cam rollers 30 and 31. These cooperate with' suitable actuating. mechanisms (not shown),

whieh'may be of anystandard or suitable form,

such as the well known I-Iusbyeam mechanism. All the foregoing mechanism isuold-and well known and maybe of any'standard 15.013.111.301 any other suitable form, as may be-desired.

Referringnow in detail to the folding rollers between which the newspapers, or other group 0f sheets, is tucked by the folding blade 22 .or 23, the folding rollers and .36 are rotatably journalled directly beneath the shaft 3 of ithefolding cylinder 2 andparallelwith-said shaft. Means are provided for moving the folding rollers to ward and away from each other and toward and away from the folding cylinder-and preferably .are movable around an axis external to the fold ing cylinder. As embodied, the folding rollers35 and 36 are each rotatably journailed at one-end by means; of bearings '37 and 38 respectively formed at the upper portion of arms40 and 41respectively, and are similarly journalled at their other end by means of bearings formed at the upper ends of similar arms 42 and 43. Arms .40, 41, 42, 43 are pivotally mounted on stub shafts 44 and 45, inwardly extending from the press frame 1 and supported at their inner ,end by means of brackets46 and 47 attached to the press frame.

The folding rollers 35 and 36 are preferably resiliently urged toward eachother to pause ithE roller to resiliently grip the group of folded sheets as it is tucked into the bite of the folding rollers by folding blade .22 or 23. As embodied, the'upper ends of arms 40, 41, 42 and 43 are provided with lugs 50 at their outer side, with which ,are pivotally connected plungers .51 slidably moturted in housings 52 connected with and supported by the press frame 1': as will be more described. Plungers 51 are provided with a reduced portion 53 around which is coiled a compression spring ,54 compressed between the plunger .51 and the .end wall 55 of the housing 52,. as shown in Referring now to the means for variably and regulably simultaneously positioning the folding rollers 35 and 36 to move them toward and from each other and the folding cylinder 2, folding 46 and 4'7 respectively. At either side of bracket 46, the shaft 66 is provided with oppositely threaded portions 68, 69 cooperating with threaded collars '70 and 71 positioned between the bracket 46 and depending arms and 61 respectively. As shaft 66 is rotated, collars '70 and '71 a e t ned. 41 e. s mr en oue r moved toward and .from each other tqvaiythe distance between the folding rollers 35 and 36.

4 Atthe other end of folding rollers 35 and 36 is rotatablymounted in bracket 47 and provided "with oppbsitelylthreaded collars 74 (only one being shown) engaging the depending portion of arms 62 and 63.

1. Means are preferably provided for simultanezouslyzmoying each end of the folding rollers 35 and36, while maintaining them parallel as they are -m'ovedtoward and from each other, and, as embodied, shafts ,66. and 6'! are. provided with .beyel' gears 75 and 7.6 respectively, meshing with beyelgears 7;? and 7.8 on shaft 79 extending trans- .versely. of the frame 1. A. handwheel 80 is rmountedbnshaft 'ill externally of the press frame, and permits:readyadiustmentof the folding rollers135 and 36. v

- Means ,are also provided for quickly moving the foldingrollersaway from each other and the folding ,cylinderand to non-folding position with respect toeach other, and as embodied, the outer ends ,of the spring housings 52 are pivotally mounted by means of pivot pins 82 on arms 83 rigidly secured .on shafts -,84extending transversely of the-frame .l. .Shafts 84 are rotatably jour- .nalledin the frame and each isprovided at one Iendwithahand lever 85 .by which the corresponding shaft Y84 and arm 83 may be moved to vary the position of the folding rollers 35 and 36. One shaft 84 is provided for each of the folding rollers and .the ,endstof the folding rollers areconnected with the arms 483 on shaft 64 by means of the spring housings .52.

For holding the folding rollers in folding relation witheach other and the folding cylinder, hand lei/[c1385 are providedwith pins 86 to engage corresponding depressions in the press frame 1,.and thesepins .86 are urged into their correspondingdepression by meansof springs 67 pressins @ghinstthe head of pins 86 and retained within a suitable hole in the hand lever by means of screws .88. V

Means are provided for limiting the movement of arms84 to which .the spring housings are pivotally mounted permitting the folding rollers to be refill lined to their original adjusted position after having been movedapart to release a choked fold, thereby. avoiding any necessity for a readj.ustment.l o'f the gap between the folding rollers.

' Preferably the outer ends of the spring housings .52, connected with the arms v83, are formed with dependingshoes 90 adapted tocontact with a corresponding flat surface 91 formed on arm 83 and adjacent to pivot pin .82. If desired, these flat surfaces may be so formed that they contact only the pivot pin has been moved slightly above the line passingthroug-h the center of shaft 84 and :thepivot of plunger 51, thereby forming a toggle which will normally hold the folding rollers against movement away from each other, except .asthey move against the compression of springs :54. 1 v

Means are also provided in the present embodiment for driving-the folding rollers in any of their.adjusted-p s io a preferably l '5. In a printing press folder, the combination ing them from the folding cylinder, "Asi'embodied, a gear is rigidly mounted on theufolds ing cylinder shaft 3, and meshes with an idler 96 rotatably journalled. on stub shaft 97':mount ed externally ofthe frame 1; the idlerinturn meshingwith a pinion QSZrotatably journalled in the frame by shaft 99 which is rotatably supported at its outer end by bracket 100, attached to theoutside of the press frame 1. .At its innor end, shaft 99 carries a relatively wide pinion 101, fixed thereonymeshingwith a'gear 102 at the end ofthe shaft of folding roller 36 and fast therewith, and also meshing with idler 103, rotatably mounted on the inside of the press-frame,

' which in turn meshes with gear 104 mounted on the end of the shaft of folding roller 35. Gears 102 and 104 are preferably onset with respect to each other in order that they may move radially to and from each other Withoutinterference as the folding rollers are adjusted. Preferably, and as embodied, gear 101 is mounted substantially directly beneath gear 102, and idler 103 is mounted substantially directly beneath gear 104, and

as the folding rollers are moved'away from each other, gears 101 andlOl remain in mesh with their driving gears over a relatively large range of adjustment. As shown in the drawings, the

folding roller driving gears will remain in meshv though, of course, these'parts may be so propor tioned thatthe peripheral speed: of the folding rollers and cylinder is the same;

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be'made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing-its chief advantages.

What I claim isz I l,

1. In a printing press folder, the'combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers mounted for movement around a pivot outside the circumference of the folding cylinder and means for moving the rollers to and from each other and the cylinder.

2. Ina printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis external to the folding cylinder, means for variably positioning said rollersrelativeto each other and means for qhicklymovng said rollers out of folding relation. 7 v

3. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of apair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a eommon'axis external to the folding cylinder, means for yieldingly urging said rollers together and means for spacing said rollers from each other.

4. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, means for variably spacing them from each other, means for yieldingly urging them together and a toggle connected to each roller for quickly releasing the folding rollers.

with the folding cylinder-and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, and toggle mechanism for'holding said rollersin folding relation.

6. In a printing press folder, the combination.

with the folding cylinder and itsblade, of apair of folding rollers, toggle mechanism for holding said'rollers in folding relation and means for moving either folding'roller out of folding relation to the cylinder j '7. In a printingpress folder, the combination with the folding cyiinderand its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, toggle mechanism including yielding connections with the folding rollers for yieldingly holdingsaid rollers in folding relation and means'for moving either folding roller. out of folding relation to the cylinder.

8. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and .its blade, of a pair of folding rollers mounted for movement around a pivot beyond the circumference of the folding cylinder and means for moving the rollers to and from each othen '9. In' a printing. press folder, the combination I with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers and means positioned beyond the circumference of the cylinderfor pivotall and yieldingly mounting said rollers.

10., In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of. folding rollers, and toggle mechanism yieldingly pressing said rollers together. l

11. In a printing press folder, the combination Withthefolding cylinder and itsblade, of a pair of folding rollers, toggle mechanism yieldingly connected to said rollers and pressing them together and means .for breaking the toggles to open therollers and release chokes,

12. In a printingpress folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair 13. In a printing pressfolder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, ofa pair of folding rollers; a toggle-mechanism yieldingly connected to each 'r'or saidfrollers and pressing them together, means forilminutely varying the spacing of the rollers, and means:for breaking eitherjof the toggles to quickly release a choke.

16. In a printing press. folder, the combination with thefolding". cylinder and its blade,'o'f a pair of folding rollers pivotallyi mountedexternally of .-ing said rollers 'andm'eans for breaking the toggles to quickly release a choke.

the cylinder, toggle mechanismi yieIding'lyEcOn-J 17. In a printing press folder, the combination 0' with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, toggle mechanism yieldingly connected to said. rollers and pressing them together, means forminutely and variably spacing said rollers while maintaining them equidistant from the folding point and means for breaking the toggles to quickly release a choke.

13. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, a toggle mechanism yieldingly connected to each ofsaid rollers and pressing them together, means for minutely varying the spacing ofLthe rollers while maintaining them equidistant from the folding point and means for breaking either of the toggles to quickly release a choke.

19. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis external to the folding cylinder, means for variably positioning said rollers relative to each other and equidistant from the cylinder and the point of folding and means for quickly moving said rollers out of folding relation,

20. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis external to the folding cylinder, means for yieldingly urging said rollers together and means for spacing said rollers from each other simultaneously and equidistant from the line of fold. r

21'. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers pivotally mounted for move ment about an axis externally of the cylinder, a toggle yieldingly connected with each end of each roller and yieldingly pressing the rollers into folding relation, means for simultaneously moving the folding rollers equal distances from the line of folding, and means for quickly moving either roller away from the other and the cylinder and for returning the roller to its original position without disturbing the spacing of the rollers.

22. In a printing press folder,the combination l relation, means for simultaneously moving the folding rollers equal distances from theline of folding, means for driving the folding rollersrin any of their folding positions, and means for quickly moving either roller away from the other and the cylinder and for returning the roller to its original position without disturbing the spacing of the rollers.

23. A folding mechanism for a high speed rotary printing press including in combination a pair of parallel folding rollers, means for minutely and simultaneously moving the folding rollers to vary the folding gap between the rollers and means operable by a single movement to increase the folding gap to non-folding proportions to release a choked fold.

24. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding blade of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis on the. opposite side of the rollers to the foldin blade.

25. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding blade of a pair of folding rollers mounted inarms movable about a common axis, and means for yieldingly pressing said rollers toether;

26. In. a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding blade of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis, and means for moving said arms apart to space the rollers from each other.

27. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding blade of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis, and means for quickly moving said rollers from each other to release a choke.

28. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a'folding blade of a pair of folding rollers mounted in arms movable about a common axis, means for simultaneously spacing said arms apart to space the rollers from each other and the line of fold and means for quickly moving the rollers to release a choke without destroying the adjustment of the spacing means.

29. In a printing press folder the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, means for yieldingly pressing said folding rollers towards each other and into folding relation and means for releasing the yielding pressure to permit the rollers to move away from each other.

30. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, means for yieldingly pressing said folding rollers towards each other and into folding relation and means for quickly releasing the yielding pressure on one of the folding rollers to release a choked fold.

31. In a printing. press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, means for yieldingly pressing said folding rollers towards each other and into folding relation, means for quickly releasing the yielding pressure on one of the folding rollers to release a choked fold and means for minutely varying the spacing of the folding rollers for folding products of varying thickness.

32. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder, and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, a pair of supports for the folding rollers at each end, said supports being pivoted to the frame about a common pivot so that the rollers can be swung toward or from each otherindependently.

33. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, coaxially pivoted mountings therefor and means for independently moving either of said rollers.

34. In a printing press folder, the combination with the folding cylinder and its blade, of a pair of folding rollers, a pair of supports for the folding rollers at each end, said supports being pivoted to the frame, and means for independently moving either of said rollers and its supports about its pivot.

CURTIS S. CRAFTS. 

